Elderly Driver Dies After Car Plunges Into Schuylkill River

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A diver from the Philadelphia police marine unit pulled an elderly male driver out of a car that ran off the Kelly Drive and into the Schuylkill River Tuesday afternoon near Boathouse Row.

According to authorities, a car somehow went off the roadway and plunged into the Schuylkill River at about 12:30 p.m.

Police say the victim, a 73-year-old man, was pronounced dead at 1:19 p.m. at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Police say a Good Samaritan, who jumped into the water to try to rescue the driver, suffered cuts and exposure and also was taken to HUP. He is in good condition and expected to be released.

The investigation into how why the car went into the river remains under investigation.

Kelly Drive between Lemon Hill Drive and Brewery Hill remains shut down in both directions as the investigation continues.